Great news for wine and coffee drinkers! A new study finds that wine, coffee and tea are linked to a healthier and more diversified microbiome -- which basically means a better, healthier body for those who consume these beverages.
Relax. Coffee and wine are good for you now. Next: Ice cream? https://t.co/lPbgPYrbpR pic.twitter.com/goEWTTbyRV
— The Seattle Times (@seattletimes) April 30, 2016
Your Gut Says Yes To Wine And Coffee
A new study published in Science studied the factors that contribute to the diversity of microbiome. "In total we found 60 dietary factors that influence diversity," Alexandra Zhernakova said in a statement.
She's a researcher at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and the first author on the study, Sci-Tech Today reports. "But there is good correlation between diversity and health: greater diversity is better," Zhernakova added.
But what is microbiome? Your microbiome is a community mostly made up of beneficial bacteria, fungi and viruses that thrive in and on your body.
You need the microbiomes to process food and regulate your immune system. Each person's intestines contain trillions of these microorganisms.
More Food Associated With Diverse Microbiomes
In the new study, the researchers analyzed stool samples from 1,135 Dutch people enrolled in the Lifelines-DEEP study, reports Time. Among the things that seemed to promote the diversity of microbiomes are wine, coffee, tea, buttermilk and yogurt.
"It is believed that higher diversity and richness [in gut bacteria] is beneficial," senior author Dr. Jingyuan Fu explained. She is an associate professor of genetics at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
That diversity can improve your chances of fighting off illnesses, reports Health. More so, microbiomes also play a role in mood disorders, obesity and other bowel-related disorders.
Carbohydrates, Sugar and Medicines
On the other side, foods that contain lots of carbohydrates seemed to reverse the diversity of bacteria in the gut. Foods like high-fat whole milk and sugar-sweetened soda were found to reduce microbiome.
More so, researchers also found that sugar drinks and savory snacks affect the makeup of your gut bacteria. Antibiotics, diabetes drug metformin and antacids have also the same effects. More so, smoking can also disrupt the biodiversity of microbiomes in your gut.
"For more complex food, such as fruits and vegetables, we don't know the answer," Fu said. "We can suggest that changes in fiber content and carbohydrate composition are playing a role, but this should be studied in detail in respect to every food item." In total, the researchers found 60 dietary factors, 12 diseases, 19 drugs and four smoking categories that affect the make-up of an individual's microbial community.
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